Rotary explosion-motor.



N0. 846,037. PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907.

G. A. LITTLEFIELD. ROTARY EXPLOSION MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 8. 1904.

E21. f 6 S2 3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

www M No. 846,037. PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907.

C. A. LITTLEPIELD. ROTARY EXPLOSION MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT.8, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 625 i1 Egt Not 846,037. PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907. G. A. LITTLEFIELD.

ROTARY EXPLOSION MOTOR. APPLICATION FILED oom, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

u." I M "l w y Winmx" UNITED s'rATEs `PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. LITTLEFIELD, OF NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGN OR TO GEORGE OTIS DRAPER, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS.

ROTARY EXPLOSION-MOTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 5, 1907.

Application filed October 8. 1904. Serial No. 227,628.

To alli, lult/7111l it muy concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. LITTLE- FIELD, a citizen of the United States, resldmg at New Bedford, county of Bristol, and State of Massachusetts, `have invented an Improvement in Rotary Explosion-Motors, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on'the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to motors of the type wherein the power is furnished by the explosion of successive charges of suitable g explosive material, such as a mixture of' gas and air; 4and it has for its object the production of a novel explosive-motor of the rotary class, wherein the' expansive force or' the eX- plosive material is utilized in an effective and economical manner. By the construction hereinafter described I aml enabled to secure a continuous rotation of the driving-shaft of the motor without the interposition of connected cranks and reciprocating pistons, a uniform and high speed and power being attained. A

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a motor embodying one form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a top or plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a partial section of the rotatable impact member or turbine and its casing or cylinder. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail, principally in section on the line 4 4, Fig.

.Z, of the combustion-chamber and the valve which controls the admission of the exploded charge to the casing of the impact member. Fig. 5 is a detail in side elevation of the means for operating the piston of a compression-cylinder. Fig. 6 is an enlarged crosssection through the two compression-cylinders o n the line 6 6, Figs. l and 4, the pistons being shown one in elevation and the other partly broken out. Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional detail, enlarged, of the impact member and its casing, the admission-ports, and the controlling-valve and reversing device on the line 7 7, Fig. 4, looking toward the rig-ht; and Fig. 8 is a similar sectional detail showing the reversing device in another position.

ferred to, when the controlling-valve is in normal position.

F ig. 9 is a detail similar to Fig. 7, but-`v enlarged, to show the vent-passage, to be reln the present embodiment of my invention the main or driving shaft of the motor has an attached rotatable impact member provided with a series of vanes inclosed within an annular casing, the propulsive force of successive charges of compressed and ignited explosive material being caused to act upon the vanos in the manner of a jet, and thereby rotate the impact member and its attached sha t. The compression is in the present case effected by the action of a piston reciprocating in a cylinder into which the fresh charge of explosivematerial is drawn, compressed, and introduced under compression into a combustion-chamber provided vsith a suitable ignition device. An automaticallyoperated valve controls the admission of the ignited charge to the casing of the impact member and also permits the fresh charge as its pressure increases to drive the burnt gases of the previously-ignited charge from the combustion-chamber against the vanes of the impact member to be finally discharged thereipon through a suitable eX- hai'st-opening in its casing. A very simple and readily-operated device is provided to reverse the direction of rotation of the impact member, and a governing device is also arranged to automatically decrease the amount of the charge as the speed of the motor increases. Otlier novel and useful features are comprehended in the invention and will be described in detail in an appropriate part of the specification.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the operating parts of the motor are shown mounted on' a bed-plate 1, upon which is erected a substantially circular casing 2, having a detachable wall 3, provided with a bearing 4for the main drivingshaft 6, the annular Wall of the casing preferably having a waterjacket 7 of convenient construction. A second bearing 5 for the shaft is rigidly secured to the brd-plate. The casing presents for a portion of its circumference an annular chamber, in which an impact member yisadaptcd to rotate, said member being herein shown as a disk 9, rigidly attached to the shaft 6 and having a broad peripheral face 1() to iit fluid-tight between the front and rear walls of the casing. The face 10, Figs. 4 and 7, is shaped to present a series of elongated buckets 11, extended transvto said standards and also to standards 18,

erected on the bed-plate and on which are mounted the actuating-levers (to'be described) for the pistons of the compressioncylinders. As shown in Fig. 2, a balancepulley X is mounted on the transverse Shaft 15.

Two like compression cylinders 19 are mounted side by side back of and adjacent the casing 2, the upper ends of the cylinders being4 closed by extensions 20 of a casting 21, forming a combustion or ignition chamber 22, provided with a water-jacket 23. (See Fig. 6.) Each extension 2() is fitted With a valve-casing 24, having a valve-seat 25 for a valve 26, the stem 27 thereof extending into the casing and being seated by a spring 28, as will be manifest from an inspection of Fig. 6. Inlet-ports 29 establish communication between each casing 24 and the adjacent cylinder 19 when the valve is unseated against the action of the spring, the latter when seated being flush with the lower face of the extension 20. A carbureter 30, Figs. 1 and 2, of any suitable construction and having valves 31 32 to control the admission of air and a hydrocarbon, as gasolene, respectively, is connected by'branches 33 with t e valve-casings 24 to conduct the explosive mixture thereto. Each cylinder is provided with a reci rocating piston 34, having a rigidly-attac ed piston-rod 35, slidable in a guide 36 on a brace 37, secured to and extended across the lower open end of the cylinder, as clearly shown in Fio. 6. On each outward or suction stroke of the piston the vacuum created causes the valve 26 to unseat and a charofe of explosive material is admitted to the cylinder to be compressed by the opposite or inward stroke of the piston.

As shown in Fig. 6, the piston is recessed in .its upper face at 38 to receive the headed stem 39 of an outlet-valve 40, movable within the chamber 22 and held seated by a spring 41 to close the outlet-passages 42. When the charge is compressed, it lifts the valve 40 and asses into the chamber 22 to be ignited there- 1n by any suitable ignition device, such asa spark-plug 43, (see Fig. 4,) and operated as will be described.

I prefer to employ a plurality of compression-cylinders and to operate them in soquence, so that a charge is being compressed in one cylinder while a fresh charge is being introduced into another, as a more uniform and efhcient'operation of the motor is thereby attained. y

The casting is extended at 44 to the rear wall of thel casing 2 and bolted thereto and bored to receive a long tube 45, Fig. 4, extended through the casing and its front wall 3 and having at its outer end an annular ange 46, which, with the collar 47 screwed onto its inner end, prevents longitudinal movement of the tube, while permitting an gular movement thereof. The inner end of said tube opens directly into the combustionchamber 22, while its outer end is tightly closed by a screw-plug 48, bored to receive the stem 49 of a rockin or oscillating tubular valve 50, seated wit in the tube 45. A Wheel 51, having a cross-bar 52 secured thereto, is attached to the outer end of the valvestem 49, and a s ring 53, interposed between the wheel and t e outer end of the lug 48, serves to maintain the valve at a l tunes against the inner end of the plug.

By reference to Figs. 4 and 7 it will be seen that the tube 45 is partially seated in the upper part of the casing 2 and partly in a casting 2X, forming the head thereof, said head in practice being bolted to the casing, said head aving a continuation of the water-jacket 7. (See Fig. 7.)

The combustion-chamber 22 is inclosed at its top by a cover-plate 54, so that access may be had to the chamber when necessary, the cover-plate at the top of the chamber having an internally-threaded tubular boss 55, into which is screwed the hollow shank 56 of a valve-cylinder 57. Said cylinder has a head 58, serving as a guide for the upturned end 59 of a plunger 60, Fig. 4, which closes the borelof the shank 56. The valve-cylinder has an ear 61, on which is fulcrumed at 62 one end of a long lever 63, socketed at 64 to receive the end 59 of the plunger. free end, which overhangs and projects forward beyond the casing 2, the lever 63 is provided with an arm 65, held in adjusted position by a nut or bolt at 66, a link 67 depending from ysaid arm and being jointed to a block 68, embracing the rod 52 and held fixedly thereon by a set-screw 69.

When the lever 63 is rocked on its fulcrum 62, the link 67 will oscillate the Wheel 51 more or less, according to the distance of the block 68 lfrom its center, vto thereby operate the valve 50. This valve in the present instance At its TCO IIO

has two elongated pgorts 69 70, Figs. 7 and 8,

about ninety degrees apart, and the tube 45' ports also being arranged and constructed to l prevent closure of the exit end thereof by a l In Fig. 7the outlet 45 .tents of chamber 22 to the vane. Herein the two induction-ports are indicated by the groups of passages 71 72, Fig. 7, said passages radiating substantially from the center of rotation of the valve 50 and passing through the casing 2 to the interior thereo adjacent the periphery ofthe impact member 9. The passages 7 1 are adapted when operative to cause rotation of said member from right to left viewing Fig. 7, while the passages 72 when operative cause the rotation from left to right as will be manifest.

If each induction-port consisted of a single passage, its exit end would be more or less completely closed as the outer end of a vane 12 passed it, but bymaking each port as a plurality of passages having their exit ends arranged in a diagonal line across the path of the vanes it will be manifest that at no time can all of the exit ends be closed. The same effect is secured by making a single Wide passage with its mouth or exit end extended diagonally across the path of the vanes.

The inlet end of the induction-ports 71 72 are so arranged that the outlet 45 will register with one or the other, so that by giving the tube 45 4a rotative movement one induction-port will be opened and the other closed, and vice versa, to reverse the direction of rotation of the motor.

registers with the induction-port 72, while in F1g. 8 it registers with the port 71, the reversal bein readily effected by a handle 73, Fig. 3, on t e flange 46, a fixed segmental plate 74 having its ends 75 shaped to serve as stops to limit the throw of the handle. The admission of the bconcasing 2 is governed by the valve 50, and when the induction-port 72 is open the admission-port 70 of the valve coperates with the outlet 45X, as in Fig. 7. When the motor is reversed, as in Fig. 8, the admission-port 69 ofthe valve co.

operates with said outlet to govern the passage of motive fluid to the induction-port 71. When a` charge of explosive gas has been compressed and introduced into the chamber 22, it` is ignited, the sudden increase of pressure overcoming the weight of lever 63 and the parts controlled thereby and the plunger 60 is lifted, thereby elevating the outer end of lever 63 and turning the valve 50 to fullopen position, as in either Fig. 7 or 8. The propulsive force of the ignited charge then acts through the induction-port of the casing 2 in the manner of a jet, and impinges upon one or more ofthe vanes 12, forcing the impact member 9 to rotate, successive ignited charges maintaining the rotation thereof. The decrease of pressure in the chamber 22 as the ignited charge performs its work permits the plunger 60 to descend, and the lever 63 thereupon operates to close the valve 50 until the next charge is ignited.

A link bein Inasmuch as the burnt gases after each charge is i ited will notbe completely driven out o the chamber 22 and the tubular extension 45, it is necessary to make provision to Veject them, and this is effected by leavin a slight vent-passage 300 when the valve 50 returns to normal position, see Fig. 9,) the passage being merely a minute clearance or open space between the adjacent edges of the p admission-port of valve 50 and the outlet 45X.

Having described the means for comv pressing and ignitin the charges of explosive material and t e means for subjecte ing the rotatable impact member to the propulsive action of the ignited charges,I will now describe the means for eecting the rel ciprocation of the pistons of the compressioncylinders, having particular reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 5. T e shaft 15, rotated from the main driving-shaft 6 by the worm 13 and worm-gear 14, has secured upon it a cam for each compression-cylinder, and in the present case t ere are two of such cams set opposite each other, as shown in Fig. 5, each cam being of the tappet type and serving as an actuator for one of the pistons 34. Each of the standards 18 has fulcrumed thereon at 81 a rocking actuating-lever 82, adjacent the inner side of the standard and extended for- Ward beneath one of the compression-cylinders 19, and alink 83 is jointed at its lower end to each lever at 84, the up er end of each pivotally connecte at 85 to ears 34X on t e lower face of the iston, with which it co erates. Each of t e levers 82 has an uprig t extension 86 above the shaft 15, as clearly shown in Fig, 5, the shaft passing beneath the levers, and a downhold 87 is pivotally mounted at 88 on the inner side of the extension and provided with a rigidly-attached rearwardly-extended handle 89. The downhold is located verticall above the actuating-cam 80 for its lever, t e latter havin fulcrumed u on it at 90, above its own fu crum 81,a fo lower 91, which is a relatively short lever, havin its upper face extended beneath the dowl old 87 and with an enlar ement 92 on its lower face to be en- IIO gage by the cam 80. When the downhold 1s 1n its operative osition, as shown herein, the follower 91 is ative to its lever 82, and consequently the lever will be elevated each time the'higxh part of the cam engages the follower and t e connected piston will be moved inward in the eld from movement rel- 82, the latter remaining quiescent. Each lever 82 has a depending rigid arm 93 below its fulcrum 81, upon which arm a bell-crank 94 95 is fulcrumed at 96, (most clearly shown in Fig. 5,) the longer arm 94 projecting beneath and` in the path of the corresponding actuating-cam 80. A heavy leaf-spring 97 is bent at its lower end to enter a recess 98 in the rear upright face of the arm 95 of the bellcrank, the spring being held in place by a bolt '99, screwed' into the arm 95, while the free upper end of the spring bears against the back o the arm 93. The bolt 99 serves to adjust the tension of the spring, aswell as to secure it in place, the spring acting to keepthe arm 94 of the bell-cran in cooperation with the cam as the latter rotates. When the high part of said cam is descending, it acts through the bell-crank and the spring to depress the lever 82 and effects thereby the outward or suction stroke of the piston in the compression-cylinder, a fresh charge being drawn thereinto at such time. When the moter is running at slow speed, the spring 97 will not be flexed sufficiently to permit any rocking of the bell-crank 94 95 on its fulcrum and the full suction-stroke will be made, drawing a full charge into the cylinder. As the motor speed increases, however, it is desirable to cut 0H the charge, and this is effected automatically lthrough the spring and bellcrank, because the uick action of the cam on the bell-crank will hex the spring and permit some movement of the bell-crank relatively to the actuating-lever 82. Consequently the latter in its descent comes to a stop before it reaches its normal low point, and the more rapid the speed of the motor the shorter will be the descending stroke of the lever, so that the piston starts on its compression-stroke from a point nearer the top of the cylinder.

' Manifestly the shorter the suction-stroke the smaller will be the charge drawn into the cylinder, the amount of the charge being thus automaticall regulated in accordance with the speed o the motor. A socket 100 is formed on the side of each actuating-lever 82 to receive a starting-bar when the motor is started in order to effect compression initially by hand.

Any suitable devices for operating the park-plugs 43 can be employed, it being unerstood that there will be one of such plugs for each compression-cylinder employed, and

in Fig. 1 I have shown one means for operating a plug. A fixed contact 101, in electrical communication with one side 102 of an electric circuit, is secured to the casting 21, anda movable contact 103 is electrically connected with the other side 104 of the circuit, the contact being pivotally mounted at 105 on the supporting-column 120 for the adjacent cylinder, an arm 106, secured to or forming a part of the contact 103, projecting rearwardly above a stud 107 in the top of the lever eX- tension 86. Each time the lever rises the contact 103 will -be rocked and closes the circuit through the fixed contact 101 the terminals of the spark-plug being in electrical connection with the circuit in usual manner.

It will be understood that each actuatinglever 82 will operate'its own circuit-changer, and in Fig. 2 I have omitted both circuitchangers to show more clearly other and more important parts.

My invention is not restricted to the precise construction and arrangement herein shown and described, as various changes or modifications may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a rotary motor, an annularly-chambered casing, a rotatable member therein having peripheral and radial impact-vanes movable in the annular chamber, a tubular reversing device having a peripheral outlet, a combustion-chamber communicating with one end of said device, two induction-ports in the casing radial to said reversing device and governed by the outlet therein, to direct inotive fluid against one or the other face of the impact-vanes, and an intermittingly-oscillating, tubular valve mounted concentric with and within the reversing device and having two outlet-ports, one or the other operating, according to the position of the reversing device, to govern admission of motive fluid to the active induction-port.

2. In a rotary explosion-motor, a rotatable member having circularly-arranged impact-varies, a casing within which said member rotates, said casing having an inductionport, a combustion-chamber, means to introduce thereinto charges of compressed explosive material to he ignited, an oscillating valve to govern the conununication between said chamber and the port, and means to ,opcrate the valve, to permit the burnt products of combustion of a charge to pass through said port during the compression of the next charge, the valve being opened wide upon the ignition thereof", and nearly closing the port during the compression of a charge.

3. In a rotary explosion-motor, a rotatable main shaft, a compression-cylinder and its piston, a rocking lever operatively con- ICP IlO

nected therewith to reciprocate the same, a cam rotated by said shaft and adapted to cooperate with and rock said. lever, and manually-controlled means mounted on and supe ported wholly by the lever to throw thc cam and lever out of cooperative action.

4. In a rotary explosion-motor, a rotata ble main shaft, a compression-cylinder and its piston, a rocking lever operatively connected therewith to reciprocate the same, a follower carried by and also movable relatively to said lever, and manually-controlled means to prevent relative movement ol the follower and maintain it in the path ol" the cam, whereby thelatter rocks the lever, release of the follower permitting its movement by the cam relatively to the lever.

5. In an explosion-motor, a compressioncylinder, a piston adapted to reciprocate t erein, a rotating actuator, and connections between -it and the piston to move the latter on the compression-stroke to a fixed point l and to vary automatically the starting-point of the stroke in accordance with the speed of the motor, said connection including a cam which imparts both strokes to the piston.

6. In an explosion-motor, a compressioncylinder, a piston adapted to reciprocate therein, a rotating actuator, a rocking lever having a rigid follower, and a yielding follower, to be alternately engaged by the actuator, to rock the lever, the actuator operating through the rigid follower to impart the compression-stroke of the ing through the yielding follower to retract the piston to a varying extent in accordance with the speed ofthe motor.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES A. LITTLEFIELD.

Witnesses:

HARRY E. GIFFORD, L. G. GIFFORD.

piston, and operat- 

